'I was attacked because I'm gay'

SAM COONEY: Suffered a broken nose

A YOUNG man suffered a broken nose, two black eyes and fractured eye socket after he was targeted in a homophobic attack.

Sam Cooney (21) was on a night out in Oldham town centre with his partner and friends when he was subjected to abuse because he is gay.

He said he was "jumped" by three men who repeatedly punched him in the face and called him a derogatory name after watching him in the club.

The Oldham resident said: "The police don't seem to be doing anything about it.

"It is a serious thing to happen and it is not being dealt with seriously."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man was approached by three men and repeatedly punched in the face and subjected to homophobic abuse.

Sam said: "I was jumped by three guys because I'm gay.

"They started calling me a faggot.

Speaking out

"I have spoken out because I'm not being scared.

"I want people to know that idiots like this target people because of the way they are.

"This should not be happening today."

Sam was with his partner and four female friends at Bamboogy nightclub, in Yorkshire Street, on Friday, November 4 when the incident took place.

They left the club at around 3am and were having a cigarette outside before heading home when he was approached by three men, aged between 20 and 26.

He said: "My two friends were outside having a cigarette and they heard the guys say they would punch that faggot in the head.

Shouting

"As I walked out this girl screamed at my friend and started calling me a faggot.

"Some girl started shouting at me so I turned around thinking she was drunk.

"She grabbed my friend by her hair.

"Then three guys walked up to me and started punching me in the face.

"On the last punch I felt my nose crack."

Sam went to A&E at Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday where they carried out a head scan and discovered a fractured bone. He was referred to Fairfield General Hospital in Bury for work on his nose and to Manchester Northern Hospital for eye treatment.

The bar tender said: "It was a few days later that the bruising and swelling came out.

"These things should not be happening because of sexual orientation."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called at 6.35pm on Saturday regarding hate crime outside a club at around 3.20am that morning.

A spokeswoman said: "A 21-year-old man was approached by three men and repeatedly punched in the face and they shouted homophobic abuse towards him.

"He was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

"A short time later, the victim was walking along Yorkshire Street when he was approached again and punched in the face."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 1940 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.